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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

668

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE ADULT MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. In accordance with sections 37-92(b) and 37-92(h) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the governor has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the general fund appropriation ceiling of the executive branch to be exceeded in fiscal year 2000-2001 by $1. The reason for exceeding the executive general fund appropriation ceiling is to ensure that the public interest is served, and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

SECTION 3. Although funds were appropriated to the department of health for the adult mental health division for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2000 and ending June 30, 2001, a critical funding emergency now exists. The program will expend all appropriated funds before the end of the current fiscal year, and the department will be unable to meet its fiscal obligation to provide services to certain adults with serious mental illness. The primary reason for this financial situation is the need to implement additional services and activities to reach compliance with the requirements of the settlement agreement and subsequent orders in United States v. State of Hawaii, Civil Number 91-00137 (DAE).

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to prevent the reduction or discontinuance of services to patients at Hawaii State Hospital as defined in section 334-2.5(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, and to develop and provide necessary community-based services for discharged patients of the Hawaii State Hospital and persons committed to the custody of Director of Health in penal and civil commitment processes.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000-2001, to be used for services and activities to improve services to patients and former patients of Hawaii State Hospital, as defined in section 334-2.5(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, and persons committed to the custody of the director of health in penal and civil commitment processes.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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